LAYTON — There will be plenty of food and entertainment at this year’s Songkran Festival, hosted by the Thai-Lao community of Wat Dhammagunaram Buddhist Temple, 644 E. 1000 North, on April 27 from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Songkran is the Thai New Year’s festival. It’s a tradition that has been carried around the world, to wherever Thai Buddhists live, including Davis County.

The festival has become a tradition at Wat Dhammagunaram, where the community comes out to help the monks at the temple celebrate.

This year, in addition to the authentic Thai food and music, there will be a Tae Kwondo demonstration, the Miss Songkran Beauty Contest, classical Thai-Lao dance, a performance by the One Voice Children’s Choir, and a demonstration of Muay Thai kickboxing.

During Songkran, known also as the water festival, Buddhists traditionally pour water into the hands to wash away bad actions and thoughts.

Part of the ceremony involves children who show respect for their elders by performing the water ceremony.

The celebration is also a time to give alms and food to the monks at the temple.